1969 S Half Dollar

CoinTrackers.com estimates the value of a 1969 S Kennedy Half Dollar in average condition to be worth $8.00, while one in mint state could be valued around $55.00. - Last updated: January, 23 2024


1969 S Half Dollar
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  • Year: 1969
  • Mint Mark: S
  • Type: Kennedy
  • Price: $8.00-$55.00+
  • Face Value: 0.50 USD
  • Produced: 2,934,000
  • Edge: Reeded
  • Silver Content: 40%
  • Silver Weight: .1479 oz.
  • Melt Value: $3.59





Notes:

All of the coins issued here from the San Francisco mint would be categorized as proofs. The highest end 1969 S proofs have the DCAM or UCAM designation assigned to them. PCGS assigns DCAM, and the slightly less popular NGC uses the designation UCAM (ultra cameo). This designation means the surface is mirrorlike, and the presidential head is frosty as some collectors call it. This designation will often times nearly double or triple the value of a PR69 specimen.

Look for the DCAM designation... DCAM or Deep Cameo


Key Points 1969 50C(Key Notes on 1969 50C)


1969 was the 2nd year that official proofs and not special mint sets were issued. They were only issued at the San Francisco mint, and were finely polished to a mirror like surface. Philadelphia would cease to produce JFK halves, and the standard production of these coins would be moved to the Denver mint instead.


These coins are 40% silver for both regular and proof issues. They have a total silver weight of .1479 oz. Many gold plated proof specimens were created by third party companies, the mint did not create gold plated 50c halves.


Last of Americas Silver Coinage

1969 was also the last year that the silver (40%) Kennedy Half Dollars were really mass produced with about 130 million made at the Denver mint. This was also the last silver coin to ever be created and released into general circulation.


1969 Half Dollar Errors

Clipped Planchet $30-$300 the 50c planchet appears as if it is missing a crescent shaped slice (curved clip) there is also a straight clip error, Double Die $20-$150 when the die is worn or has a defect it creates a doubling effect, Wrong Planchet when a penny dime or nickel planchet is struck and not the intended 50c planchet this error occurs, Missing Clad Layer these may look copper in color or strangely toned, Off Center $40-$100 off center strikes occur when the die strikes the planchet off center these are usually expressed as a percentage


Whats the Most Common Error?

Double Die Half Dollar Error(Double Die Half Dollar Error)



Mintages

Production Chart


Price Chart

Rates listed here refer to professionally graded and slabbed coins. If new to collecting the prices below might not make sense.



Value for DCAM (Deep Cameo) proofs. If coin is not professionally certified as DCAM then scroll for the non DCAM prices.

DCAM or Deep Cameo

  • Grade PR66 = $12-$20
  • Grade PR67 = $20-$34
  • Grade PR68 = $26-$44
  • Grade PR69 = $86-$144


Value for CAM (Cameo) proofs. If coin is not professionally certified as CAM then scroll for the non CAM prices.

DCAM or Deep Cameo

  • Grade PR66 = $11-$18
  • Grade PR67 = $17-$28
  • Grade PR68 = $23-$38
  • Grade PR69 = $79-$131


This is a NON DCAM / CAM (not deep cameo) specimen. We are unaware of any PR70s.

DCAM or Deep Cameo

  • Grade PR66 = $11-$19
  • Grade PR67 = $15-$25
  • Grade PR68 = $21-$35
  • Grade PR69 = $45-$75


Is the list above a little overwhelming? If so, take 5 minutes to learn all about Coin Grading.


It's also important to note...Prices are subject to the same supply and demand laws as everything else. Coins sold at the same auction house 10x, would fetch drastically different bids each session. To raise your chances of receiving top dollar read How to Get the Most for your Coins.


We've personally researched these values. If you enjoy our content please return the favor and share this page with your friends.




How much is a 1969 S Half Dollar worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around $8.00, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $55 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1969, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].


What are your coins really worth?

Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any kennedy half dollar in your collection.


whats your half dollar worth


Specs & Design

This coin has a total mass of 11.34 g, a diameter of 30.6 mm, and a thickness of 2.15 mm. It's edge is Reeded, and the coins are composed of 1971 - Present 75% copper, 25% nickel, 1965-1970 40% silver 60% copper, 1964 - 90% Silver 10% copper.


Designer: Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro


Front (Obverse): The front or coin obverse contains the profile of John F. Kennedy gazing to the left. The words In GOD We Trust and Liberty are engraved. Mint marks are located to the bottom center of the bust. The date is present as well.


Back (Reverse): Contains a bald eagle grasping 13 arrow in its right claw, and am olive branch also containing 13 olives. A shield protects the eagles chest. 13 stars radiate along lines stemming from the eagles wings. These represent the original 13 colonies. The words United States of America and Half Dollar are present and engraved on the reverse as well.


P, D, S, W mint marks are present on coins. The initials FG stand for Frank Gasparro the designer of the coins reverse.



Most Valuable

The most valuable Kennedy Half Dollar's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.

Image Year Mint Worth
Kennedy Half Dollar 2014 W $3k
Kennedy Half Dollar 1964 D $115
Kennedy Half Dollar 2014 W $105
Kennedy Half Dollar 1995 S $82
Kennedy Half Dollar 1966 $80
Kennedy Half Dollar 1970 S $80
Kennedy Half Dollar 2019 S $80
Kennedy Half Dollar 1997 S $67
Kennedy Half Dollar 1965 $65
Kennedy Half Dollar 1969 D $65
Kennedy Half Dollar 1970 D $65
Kennedy Half Dollar 1969 S $55
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1989 P $345.22
1989 $345,000
1989 D $345
Image Name Mint Worth

Want more? Click here to see the most valuable coins ever minted.

Are 1969 S Half Dollars Silver?

Yes! Kennedy Half Dollar's produced in 1969 are 40% silver to be precise, and contain .1479 troy oz or 4.600 grams in total of .999 pure silver. Silver weight is measured in troy ounces. Troy ounces weigh about 2 grams more than the standard ounce. CoinTrackers has built a tool that will let you know if your coin is silver or not. The tool is called Is My Coin Silver?.

Numismatic vs Intrinsic Value:

This coin in poor condition is still worth $4.41 more than the intrinsic value from silver content of $3.59, this coin is thus more valuable to a collector than to a silver bug. Coins worth more to a collectors may be a better long term investment. If the metal prices drop you will still have a coin that a numismatic would want to buy.

Want more info? Then read Coin Collecting Investment an article that details the benifits of coin collecting as a way to build wealth. Also learn how to properly store your coins.

Current silver melt value* for a 2010 S Kennedy is $3.59 and this price is based off the current silver spot price of $24.30 This value is dynamic so bookmark it and comeback for an up to the minute silver melt value.

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***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.

We use user submitted pictures please read that article if you are interested in adding your own.

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